Most people are familiar with relationship counseling and how it works. However, there is a number of myths around marriage counseling intensives, as this is a relatively new approach to couples counseling and many people don’t know much about it.

It is important to debunk these myths and stereotypes about marriage counseling intensives because they are rooted in a lack of knowledge and as such are of no use. Myths about marriage counseling intensives can cause you to undervalue the benefits of couples intensives and to give up counseling altogether. Here are some of the most common myths couples have about marriage counseling intensives.

1. Marriage Counseling Intensives Don’t Work

Marriage counseling intensives are not a quick fix for marriage. However, couples counselling intensives are designated and DO work for couples who are at a turning point in their marriage. Whether you feel that you’ve lost connection and intimacy, dealing with the recent disclosure of an affair, or may need help in communication and conflict resolution, marriage counseling intensives can help you gain a deeper understanding of one another and recognize rots of your relationship problems. 

Intensive marriage counseling provides high impact therapy in a short amount of time. Couples intensives have the power to create some sort of a catalytic environment where profound emotional experiences encourage rapid shifts in the couple’s attitude and feelings. The majority of couples who enter an EFT-based couples intensive usually manage to turn things around in their relationship in a short period.

Here are a few reasons why marriage counseling intensives do work:

·       Couples intensives are provided by trained and licensed couples counselors

·       Couples intensives program is not restricted to the time limits of brief weekly marriage therapy sessions

·       Couples are able to work on their issues away from daily distractions such as work, kids, phone calls, etc.

·       Couples gain a new understanding of one another and their relationship and learn skills that can help overcome future obstacles in their relationship

If your marriage is in severe pain, you will more benefit from marriage counseling intensive than from an hour a week with a licensed marriage therapist. Couples intensives help couples whose marriage is in severe crisis by allowing them to step away from distractions of their daily life and completely focus on their relationship.

Also, for many couples, marriage counseling intensives are the last resort when their weekly couples therapy sessions did not help.

2. Marriage Counseling Intensives Are Not for Me

Many people tend to think that couples intensives are only for couples whose relationship is in severe crisis. You may think, “I am fine, really. My marriage problems are not THAT big.” Many people believe that they can figure out their issues on their own. However, studies show that most couples wait eight years before they seek counseling, allowing their problems to accumulate and/or escalate.

Couples intensive counseling is not just for severe relationship issues such as infidelity, for example. Marriage intensive counseling is suitable for all kinds of relationship challenges, from communication problems to parenting issues.

Couples intensive may be the best choice if:

·       Your marriage is at the breaking point and you feel that you cannot afford to wait

·       The slow pace of traditional weekly couples counseling does not work for you and your partner

·       Your schedules make it difficult to plan weekly sessions

·       You and your partner want to dive deep into your relationship issues

3.  No One Does Marriage Counseling Intensives

This is simply not true. Many couples benefit from marriage counseling intensives. The first personalized couples intensives were developed by John Gottman based on his extensive relationship research that showed that couples counseling is more effective when it is done intensively.

Research shows that the human brain is more likely to absorb new behavior patterns if those behaviors are learned over a short period of time. Couples intensive format works no matter what relationship issues you and your partner are facing because it helps you reach a resolution more quickly and learn skill sets to help you sustain a connection for a longer period.

Couples intensives provide intense but safe context to work on your issues, allowing you to uncover the causes of repetitive dysfunctional patterns in your relationship.

During marriage intensive, you and your partner will develop new insights and learn skills to begin healing and rekindling connection in your marriage.

Summary

There are a few myths attached to marriage counseling intensives that may hold you back from getting your relationship back on track. I hope this information helps debunk the myths about intensive marriage counseling.

Couples intensive format enables you to focus on your relationship, work on your issues, and begin the healing process away from sources of stress and demands of family, kids, and work.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to give me a call at (703)347 3200 and schedule an appointment or your free 15 min consult call online or in my Wake Forest office here.